Mr. James (Chief) Bondi | Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy

Mr. James (Chief) Bondi

Ambassador, Awarded in 2016
IMSA Tenure: 1986 – 2015

Chief of Security, Retired 2015

Mr. Bondi began his work at IMSA in 1985 in a volunteer capacity on the IMSA Student Life Development Committee whose focus was to establish, structure, develop programs and activities prior to the Academy opening. Mr. Bondi then transitioned as the Chief of Security when IMSA opened in 1986, a position that he held until his retirement August 31, 2015.

As the Academy’s first Chief of Security, his responsibilities were to develop and implement all aspects of a security department whose primary responsibility was protect students, staff and visitors, State of Illinois property and assets, prevent litigation against the Academy, and enforce all rules, regulations, laws and IMSA Student Handbook rules. He successfully developed and then administered the Aurora Leadership Institute for three years. This program recruited 7th and 8th graders from the Aurora community and hosted them at IMSA for a summer camp about social entrepreneurship, which was taught by IMSA students.

Chief Bondi also represented Illinois Campus Law Enforcement on the Illinois Terrorism Task Force and developed and distributed numerous statewide training programs on tornado safety and response; the 7 signs of terrorism, which trained citizens about how to be the eyes and ears of law enforcement; and drunk driving education videos for students. He served on numerous statewide committees which developed the State of Illinois School Drill Act for K-12, the Campus Security and Safety Enhancement Act for Higher Education, and more than one task force group designed to develop school safety and security programs on a statewide level. His article about mass notification systems, “Who Can Push the Button?” (2011), was published in the Campus Law Enforcement Journal.

Chief Bondi held several leadership positions in many local community groups and programs: Board President of the Aurora Area Crime Stoppers; Chairman of the City of Aurora Police and Schools Committee; member of the Kane County Regional Office of Education School Security Committee; Past President and Vice President of the Illinois Campus Law Enforcement Administrators Association; School Security Committee Chairman of the Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police; and Campus Protection Officer Training Program Committee Chairman of the International Association of Campus Law Enforcement Administrators.